The Maudsley Family Study. I: Structural brain changes on magnetic resonance imaging in familial schizophrenia.
1. The authors investigated the prevalence of qualitatively rated structural brain abnormalities in schizophrenic probands and their first-degree relatives from families multiply affected with schizophrenia. 2. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate brain morphology in 33 schizophrenic probands, 54 of their non-schizophrenic first-degree relatives (including 11 presumed obligate carriers) and 37 unrelated control subjects. Structural images were examined by a neuroradiologist who was blind to diagnostic and family status. 3. 52% of the schizophrenic subjects were rated as showing abnormalities compared with 27% of presumed obligate carriers, 16% of their non-schizophrenic relatives and 11% of unrelated controls. 4. Brain abnormalities were more frequent in schizophrenic subjects from multiplex families than in their first-degree relatives and controls. Abnormalities were also found in unaffected relatives particularly those who appear to be transmitting the disorder.
Sharma
T
T
Department of Psychological Medicine, Institute of Psychiatry, London, UK.
du Boulay
G
G
Lewis
S
S
Sigmundsson
T
T
Gurling
H
H
Murray
R
R
D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006579:Heterozygote; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010375:Pedigree; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*